BLOOD RED THRONE
Spewing forth some of the most sonically savage, yet groove-infused, death known to modern metal man since unleashing their debut album in 2001, 'Monument of Death', Blood Red Throne have weathered various lineup changes over the years to deliver, time and again, both consistency and quality in their music. Three years on from their self-titled, seventh album and we have another full-length offering in the form of 'Union of Flesh and Machine', a title that points towards a Kurzweil-esque theme that seems to be a popular one within the metal genre in recent times (for example, Fear Factory's 2015 'Genexus'). And, yep, we have another change in personnel; although, this time, original drummer Freddy Bolsų has returned behind the kit, who originally left the band after the release of 'Monument of Death'. So, there's a degree of revitalised nostalgia about Blood Red Throne this time around, which is discernible in some of the old school flavours inherent in their compositions, yet they also continue to steamroll ahead with their uncompromising twenty first century brand of musically merciless discharge.
Predominantly, the music on 'Union of Flesh and Machine' is as you'd expect for a Blood Red Throne release; it's largely a sideways step from their 2013 self-titled album, so there are few surprises during proceedings. They have, however, seemingly celebrated the return of Bolsų by re-recording 'Mary Whispers of Death' from their debut, and indulged in a touch of Judas Priest revelry, with their deathed-up take on 'Leather Rebel'. They've made the latter work great, and it serves as a contrast to the unrelenting ferocity and darkly claustrophobic textures that characterise the rest of the album. And therein lies the essence of Blood Red Throne's latest; it's that very ferocity and claustrophobia that makes 'Union of Flesh and Machine' such a potent experience - no doubt cathartic for some and energising for others.
While 'Union of Flesh and Machine' is, overall, another strong album in Blood Red Throne's impressive body of work, I feel that it's a notch below 2013's eponymously titled release. Just a small notch but, nonetheless, it doesn't quite reach the compositional heights of its predecessor. Still, it's another winner from these Norwegians, and will undoubtedly satisfy established fans as well as any newcomers who dare to take a seat on the Blood Red Throne.
Predominantly, the music on 'Union of Flesh and Machine' is as you'd expect for a Blood Red Throne release; it's largely a sideways step from their 2013 self-titled album, so there are few surprises during proceedings. They have, however, seemingly celebrated the return of Bolsų by re-recording 'Mary Whispers of Death' from their debut, and indulged in a touch of Judas Priest revelry, with their deathed-up take on 'Leather Rebel'. They've made the latter work great, and it serves as a contrast to the unrelenting ferocity and darkly claustrophobic textures that characterise the rest of the album. And therein lies the essence of Blood Red Throne's latest; it's that very ferocity and claustrophobia that makes 'Union of Flesh and Machine' such a potent experience - no doubt cathartic for some and energising for others.
While 'Union of Flesh and Machine' is, overall, another strong album in Blood Red Throne's impressive body of work, I feel that it's a notch below 2013's eponymously titled release. Just a small notch but, nonetheless, it doesn't quite reach the compositional heights of its predecessor. Still, it's another winner from these Norwegians, and will undoubtedly satisfy established fans as well as any newcomers who dare to take a seat on the Blood Red Throne.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Spinefarm Records
Album
UNION OF FLESH AND MACHINE
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
46:03
RELEASE DATE:
15th July 2016
TRACK LISTING
1) Revocation of Humankind
2) Proselyte Virus
3) Patriotic Hatred
4) Homicidal Ecstasy
5) Martyrized
6) Union of Flesh and Machine
7) Legacy of Greed
8) Exposed Mutation
9) Primal Recoil
10) Leather Rebel
11) Mary Whispers of Death
2) Proselyte Virus
3) Patriotic Hatred
4) Homicidal Ecstasy
5) Martyrized
6) Union of Flesh and Machine
7) Legacy of Greed
8) Exposed Mutation
9) Primal Recoil
10) Leather Rebel
11) Mary Whispers of Death
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Norway
"...there's a degree of revitalised nostalgia about Blood Red Throne this time around...yet they also continue to steamroll ahead with their uncompromising twenty first century brand of musically merciless discharge."
